Student housing can be tricky at times. You may not want to live in a dorm, but finding an affordable and accessible place to stay can be hard, especially in a place like State College, Pennsylvania, where you may not have as many options. So, which companies specialize in managing student rentals near Penn State?

Partnering with a student rental company makes securing a spot in the right place for the right price easier. Here is a look at the 10 best organizations in State College.

1. Property Management, Inc.

The overall best student rental company near Penn State is Property Management, Inc., more colloquially known as PMI. On top of helping you sort through a vast portfolio of apartments, townhouses and single-family homes, PMI will connect you to the resources you need to get started.

PMI's website has links to all the utility providers in State College and information on local townships. Should you need additional help, the organization has a 24/7 support line. Having these resources at your disposal can make a significant difference when moving somewhere unfamiliar, especially if this is your first time renting.

It is also worth noting that real estate management is all that PMI does. That focus — combined with its decades of experience — means you can trust it to offer accurate insights and deliver the help you need without trying to sell you on anything else.

2. Fairmount Property Management

Alternatively, you could look to Fairmount Property Management for help. Whereas PMI is a nationwide company with services available in State College, Fairmount is based in the area, guaranteeing local expertise.

Many businesses serve all renters while providing some student-specific services. Fairmount is different in that it focuses entirely on student rentals. Under that umbrella, it offers apartments and houses for both undergraduate and graduate students, so there is something for you regardless of where you are in your education.

Fairmount offers rental insurance if you want some additional peace of mind. You can also manage your rent, repair requests and more from a convenient mobile app. A 24-hour emergency maintenance service adds to the convenience, especially when you are busy with coursework.

3. Keystone Real Estate Group

While Keystone Real Estate Group does more than manage student rentals near Penn State, the State College area is the biggest part of its portfolio. It deals heavily in brokerage for property investments, but is also a great place to find student housing.

Keystone manages at least 22 buildings in State College, including housing complexes and apartments ideal for undergrad or graduate students. It also handles office space and other residential services if you want to look for something new after graduating.

The big differentiator between Keystone and other property companies is its level of professionalism. When working with the group, you can expect formal, industry-leading service and extensive research. While these may make a bigger difference to investors than students looking for a place to stay, they also make doing business with the company more pleasant.

4. PSU Houses

PSU Houses is another great student rental company to consider for housing near Penn State. It specializes in apartments and homes near the university and even rents out parking spaces, which is handy when living off-campus.

PSU Houses understands that you may not have much experience living on your own if you are looking for student housing. As a result, it offers plenty of helpful documents you may need as a first-time renter. That includes details about local laws and ordinances, guides on spotting and managing lead paint, and tips on various maintenance issues.

You can also sign up for the company’s waitlist if its rentals have run out for the term, but you would like to hear about options down the line. It may not have the most availability of any business, but its helpful services and understanding of student needs make it worthy of consideration.

5. Associated Realty Property Management

Another company specializing in managing student rentals near Penn State is Associated Realty Property Management, or ARPM. The firm has served Penn State students since the late 1970s, so it has plenty of experience.

ARPM boasts over 1,200 living spaces for students, including apartments, townhouses, single-family and multifamily homes, and duplexes. Its inventory also includes furnished and unfurnished options, helping you find what suits your needs. The website gives you all the important property information upfront, too, for easy comparisons.

Like PSU Houses, ARPM also offers parking space rentals, although these are a smaller part of its business. Another useful feature is its list of moving companies and other home service comparisons.

6. Nittany Property Management

You could also go with Nittany Property Management, which serves all clients but specializes in student housing. It is a family-owned business with deep roots in the State College area, so you can trust the team understands what you need and how to help you.

Nittany offers housing of all types, though rental houses and apartments make up most of its listings. Although its website may not be as easy to navigate as some others, the staff is helpful and knowledgeable if you call or email.

In addition to helping you find a rental, Nittany runs a 24/7 service line for maintenance emergencies and performs regular inspections to ensure everything is safe and up to date. For added convenience, you can also pay rent and request maintenance online.

7. The Apartment Store

For a more e-commerce-like experience, check out The Apartment Store, which functions like nationwide rental sites, such as Apartments.com. It works primarily as a website where you can compare student housing options, but unlike other search tools, you also rent through the platform.

The Apartment Store started as a more traditional property management company in the 70s before transitioning to its current, student-focused, heavily online state. Its inventory is admittedly smaller than many others — comprising just over 25 properties — but all options are close to the university and easy to compare.

Although The Apartment Store does not offer quite as many services as other rental management companies, its convenience and student-focused business model make it a worthy option.

8. Brickwork Properties

Alternatively, Brickwork Properties is another good student rental company near Penn State to consider. It offers a more conventional apartment management experience than The Apartment Store, but still has plenty of convenient online search options.

Brickwork’s property listings are easy to search through and list all the important information — including rent, rooms and amenities — upfront. You can also explore 3D digital floor plans or take a video tour of many of its apartments and townhouses for a closer look without being physically present. While it does not cater only to students, many of its listings are affordable and close to the university.

You can also apply and contact maintenance online, which is helpful if you prefer to do everything from the web. Brickwork’s 13 properties may offer fewer options than you could find elsewhere, but the variety makes the inventory feel larger.

9. The Canyon

Many of the companies on this list are larger property management firms with connections to various apartments and other rentals. However, The Canyon is simply an apartment complex. While that may mean fewer options to choose from, the business operates five separate buildings, each with a good bit of variety between rooms.

All five Canyon properties are right next to Penn State’s campus, making them ideal for students. They also have amenities you will not find everywhere, like a fitness center, computer lab and study lounges.

Housing contracts are individual, so you do not have to worry about being liable for your roommate’s missteps. The Canyon also has a roommate matching program to help you find someone you can get along with, and you can use the complex’s move-in and move-out assistance to streamline the transition between semesters.

10. Atlas Realty Management

Rounding out this list is Atlas Realty Management, which operates a few student-friendly rental spaces in State College. Atlas has the fewest buildings in its inventory of the 10 companies listed here, but its convenience and quality alone make it a worthy mention.

All of Atlas’s apartments are safe, well-maintained, and have plenty of nearby or on-site amenities. Some are even pet-friendly, a unique perk among student rentals. Applying for a room is easy and entirely web-based, as is reaching out to maintenance, making the space all the more convenient.

Unfortunately, Atlas properties do not cater to undergraduate students. Graduate and postgraduate students are welcome, but this restriction does mean Atlas is not an option for all apartment-hunters near Penn State.

Why Do You Need a Company Specializing in Student Rentals?

Finding a company that specializes in managing student rentals is crucial because, as a student, you have some unique needs. You will want any property partner to understand these requirements and concerns to help you find a space that works for you.

Affordability is a prominent concern for many students, especially those seeking their first off-campus apartment. You may not have as much available to spend this early in your career, but student housing rents have increased by 8.8% on average between late 2022 and mid-2023 — almost double the increase for conventional rentals.

Other unique considerations include proximity to campus, safety, roommate availability and parking. Flexible lease agreements may also be necessary, especially if you will spend some breaks between semesters with your family or graduate or transfer soon. A specialized student rental company will understand how these factors impact your living preferences and can find options that suit these specific needs.

How to Choose a Student Rental Company

You should focus on a few key factors when comparing student rental businesses. The most significant is how much the company specializes in student housing. A business that outright says it caters to undergraduate students will be able to help you more than one that is affordable but does not say much about the university.

You will also want to consider the kinds of properties an organization manages. Ideally, you can choose from various housing styles, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family or multi–family homes, as each has unique pros and cons. A less diverse inventory is not as large a concern if you already know what you want, but having more options makes finding an ideal place easier.

Local expertise and years of experience are also worth considering. The rental market is both volatile and highly localized. On average, rent in Pennsylvania is roughly $1,771 a month, and the average apartment size is 890 square feet. However, across the border in Ohio, rental properties are 900 square feet and cost just $1,323 on average. You will want a local expert to understand such area-specific considerations to truly find the best deal.

Comparing Student Rental Companies Near Penn State

Now that you know what to look for, here is how the 10 property businesses on this list compare to each other along the most important factors.

Find the Best Student Rentals Near Penn State

Regardless of your housing needs and wants, you can find a company specializing in managing student rentals on this list to meet your goals. Before moving into State College to start at Penn State or moving off-campus to get out of the dorms, consult this list to make an informed decision. Knowing what is available is half of finding the ideal living space.